Daviess/Knox Counties: A four month long drug investigation ended late this week with arrests and seizures of multiple active methamphetamine labs.
In April 2015, Trooper Mitchell Wier and Washington Police Department Officer Brandon Garland began an investigation from information they had received during a traffic stop in Washington. The information gained led officers to believe that a methamphetamine manufacturing operation was occurring at two Knox County addresses.
At approximately 3:00 A.M., Trooper Wier, Officer Garland, and troopers from the Evansville Post simultaneously arrived at the two locations. Troopers from the Evansville Post arrived at 7280 South Hickory Corner Road, Monroe City, and spoke with Timothy Lindauer, 41, Vincennes. After searching the residence, troopers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Lindauer, Levi Hinkle, 27, Bicknell, and Jennifer Hartley, 30, Monroe City, who were also in the residence, were arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine. They were transported to the Knox County Jail. After arriving at the jail, Hinkle was found to have methamphetamine hidden on his person. He was charged with an additional count of trafficking with an inmate.
At the same time officers arrived at 1212 Buchanan Street, Monroe City. At the residence officers spoke with Benjamin Jefferson, 53 and Annette Mize, 42, Monroe City. Through the course of the investigation, officers smelled strong chemical odors coming from the residence and, after searching, located six “one-pot” methamphetamine labs, finished methamphetamine, manufacturing precursors, and drug paraphernalia. Jefferson and Mize were placed into custody and transported to the Knox County Jail.
Investigating Officer: Trooper Mitchell Wier
Assisting Officers: Washington PD Officer Brandon Garland, Troopers Brett Pool, William Campbell, Hunter Manning, Ryan Johnson, Ted Clamme
Arrested and Charges:
Timothy Lindauer, 41
7280 South Hickory Corner Road, Monroe City
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Levi Seth Hinkle, 27
1913 Washington Street, Bicknell
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
- Trafficking with an Inmate, Level 5 Felony
Jennifer M. Hartley, 30
7280 South Hickory Corner Road, Monroe City
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
- Warrant: Probation Violation
Benjamin A. Jefferson, 53
1212 Buchanan Street, Monroe City
- Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony
- Possession of Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Level 4 Felony
Annette M. Mize, 42
1212 Buchanan Street, Monroe City
- Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony
- Possession of Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
* Photograph is of methamphetamine labs seized.
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HENSLEY
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
